Don’t forget the Gift of Life

Editor:

Happy Holidays!

As I look back on 2010, I am struck by the people who have been touched by organ and tissue donation. They are sons and daughters, mothers and fathers, neighbors and friends. They are in every community, come from every walk of life and they give me a reason to go to work every day.

At Lifeline of Ohio, we have the immense privilege of honoring donors’ wishes. More than 400 central Ohioans gave the selfless gift of organs or tissues this year, resulting in hundreds of lives saved and improved through transplantation. Through the work we do, we see firsthand the impact saying “yes” to donation can make.

This year I was profoundly impacted by Avrie, a baby girl whose life can go on thanks to a heart transplant. Her family is forever grateful to her donor’s family, who made the brave decision to donate after losing their own child.

A local family whose son passed away before he could receive the transplant he needed brought tears to my eyes. Their strength in sharing Jonah’s story and honoring his memory by encouraging others to be donors astounds me. Sadly, 18 men, women and children die each day in the US because a transplant didn’t come in time.

I was moved by the shower of support a local community showed for Adam, a young boy who was a donor after his death this summer. More than 100 friends and family members came to our annual Dash for Donation to honor his memory just weeks after he passed away, an incredible sight.

These are just a few of the many lives touched by donation this year, and each story is remarkable. They are the reason I write this letter today. I hope to inspire you to take action.

As you enjoy the holiday season surrounded by loved ones, I ask you to consider the 110,000 Americans who wish to spend another holiday with their families. You can give them hope their transplant will come in time by signing up as an organ and tissue donor. By registering as a donor you have the potential to save eight lives and enhance up to 50 more. Please, sign up today. Visit our website: www. lifelineofohio.org, call 800-525-5667 to request a registration form or simply say “yes” to donation when asked at the BMV.